What Challenges Will We
Overcome Together?

As a mental health professional, I know housing is a human right. The city’s definition of housing affordability should mean rates that are actually affordable to our city’s workers. I support an Area Median Income that reflects the current net incomes of the city’s working (and majority) class. Additionally, I am dedicated to the sustainable and safe expansion of our existing housing stock.

If elected, I will support adhering to the city’s recently adopted and more equitable form-based zoning code to provide quality housing for all city residents. Housing regulations protect the little guy and local families—not corporate special interests. As your Alderman, I will continue my housing rights advocacy work to protect rent-stabilized units and curb the displacement of generations of vulnerable and working class residents.

For so many, it is a dream to be housing secure. Kingston residents deserve the opportunity to buy—and keep—their home. I look forward to bridging more community members and local resources together for folks to achieve their dreams of being a home-owner.

For First-time Homebuyers

Land in Black Hands

For Homeowners Looking to Add an Accessory Dwelling Unit

Every pedestrian, cyclist and vehicle user should arrive at their destination safely. I will fight for cost-effective, common sense, climate resilient solutions to address traffic hazards and reduce speeding throughout Ward 1. This includes:

• Advocating for increased speed limit signage, speed tables, pedestrian warning signs, or speed bumps where appropriate, and city bus route optimization.
• Holding regular Ward 1 meetings with community members to discuss traffic concerns and increase awareness about road safety education campaigns (like ‘Look Out For Each Other‘).
• Collaborating with city departments and neighbors to improve the safety and visibility of pedestrian traffic and bike lanes. 

In 2021, New York’s “Green Amendment” was adopted, signaling the prioritization of environmental rights in the face of a grave climate crisis. As the city continues to face extreme weather events, like flooding, freezing and wildfires, it is critical that our municipal government looks to the future to ensure that our children’s grandchildren inherit a habitable home.

This looks like:

• Identifying ways to address the lead service line problem and keep residents drinking clean and safe water without disproportionally burdening taxpayers.
• Reimagining the capacity of our waste systems through the expansion of community-informed organic waste collection.
• Making fresh, locally-grown produce more accessible through increased support for community gardens, especially in food desert areas.
  • (Learn more about food insecurity in the the City of Kingston and Ulster County in this report I authored)
• Addressing the harms of ecological apartheid by committing to moving away from discriminatory policy practices.

“Each person shall have a right to clean air and
water, and a healthful environment.”

– Article I, §19 of the New York State Constitution

Now, more than ever, our neighbors are struggling with their mental health. It is critical that we continue to break down stigmas around and increase access to mental health care across the lifespan. Public health is positively impacted when our neighbors’ physiological needs are met—this is why we must prioritize accessible housing and a healthy environment. On the hardest days of our lives, we need policies that center dignity, compassion and evidence-based interventions for all, from our youth to our elders.

My goal as a community social worker is to nurture a community that cares about each other and shares knowledge and respect freely, without exploiting each other or the planet.

I look forward to bringing a trauma-informed, public health perspective to the Common Council.

Blue-collar and unionized workers need a voice on the council that will fight for them. Our workers deserve fair wages and safe working conditions so they can keep building our city up. By building collaboration between laborers and the Common Council, we can facilitate the sustainability of infrastructural trades and increase career opportunities for the next generation of tradespeople.

Elected civil servants must be accountable to their neighbors and communities, not special interests. I am available by email to support tenants, homeowners and small, local business owners. Feel free to reach out with any questions about Kingston Common Council meetings or their public comments—I’ve frequented most of them for years. I also hope you and your family will join what will be regular Ward 1 Community meetings, so that we may continue to learn from each other.